DS is correct- teamsters are incompetent and self-serving.

 

Dont know if this is the "official" Republic thread, but hopefully someone can answer some questions I have... Currently right-seat at Silver, but looking at other options. I live on Long Island, about 45 minutes from both LGA and JFK, maybe 90 from EWR. I was considering Eagle, but with the latest news about them im thinking twice. I'd rather not have to drive to EWR for Xjet. So for now RAH seems like a viable option for the sole purpose of living in base. Here's a breakdown of my thoughts so far:

Silver Pros- Seniority (~50% comanywide, with many DECs below me), top lineholder in base, upgrade in 2 years (maybe), CBA (trip cancellation, duty rig, etc)
Cons- 2 leg commute, loss of days off due to commute, flying one of those small loud planes with those propellor things on the wings (kidding), fly to the same 2 airports everyday, no signs of growth or attrition, pink engines
RAH Pros Live in base, decent newer equipment, better trips, better experience(?), signs of growth and attrition, possibly a new improved contract soon (?), make more money at year 2
Cons- current contract, pay, lose all my seniority

Some questions:
-Likelihood of being offered LGA on the shuttle side (I hear the routes are better in the 170?)
-Are upgrade times expected to decrease?
-Whats the callout time at Shuttle? Are you required to spend any time ready-reserve?
-Would you consider QOL on reserve at RAH to be significantly improved if you live in base
-Finally, given the info above, what would you do?

Ive been offered an interview already, and obviously ill worry about getting the job offer first, but I'm just looking for some advice. Like I said, living in base is HUGE to me, but is it good enough to outweigh everything else?

 

What news is that?

That Eagle didn't get a "large" RJ order because we voted a B scale down? Airline management is going airline by airline looking for concessions, Eagle was Parker's first target, he hasn't left picking on Eagle and he is/will be making trips to other regionals as well. I am not saying come to Eagle all is well, what I am saying is the sky is not falling. Most of the fear being spread is coming from our MEC chairman.

 

Yea I guess you're right. It's not that i've heard "dont come to Eagle" but people I've talked to who are there dont understand why they need to hire so much and say they are actually very well staffed. Is this the case?

 

Because as AA hires we will send a minimum of 20 pilots a month is they hire more than 40 or 50% of what they hire if they hire less than 40. Also United and Delta will be doing considerable hiring in the next 6 months and I am not sure about the cargo companies. We also have attrition based on age 65, something like 20 guys will retire on 2013 based on that and another 15 in 2014. Also the new rest rules. Eagle has a contract that will adjust the senior pilots to the lower two regionals of comparable size in less than 3 years so I don't think Eagle will rid of based on cost.

They are spending a significant amount of capital to obtain FO down the road with the CFI programs, and are offering a hiring bonus to FO. I don't see Eagle going away anytime soon. I expect Eagle to be a 200-220 airplane airline. That has been said from day one. AA management wanted to spread the flying to allow them to have whipsaw as well as shield form the lack of applicants. I wouldn't be surprised to see PSA, PDT and Eagle for two regionals if not one. I think the lack of applicants and cost clauses in the contracts will offset the possible whipsaw.

 

Stay where you are and ride the waves. lots of hiring going on right now and I'm sure you will see that 2 year upgrade time come down. Unless you're about to be furloughed your next move should be up, not horizontal. I know plenty of guys who were hired at JetBlue, Allegiant, Spirit, even Delta and the old Continental, with only Saab PIC time.

I would give up what you have now for a major, but not another regional. Especially one that doesn't even offer cancelation pay.

 

+1..........

 

Thats alot to answer in a post. PM me but I think you've done yur homework already which is commendable. Ill give you an honest rundown of rah. I think its a push but im here if ya need and so are others.

 

Most of the hiring is done on the republic side and on chq. Shuttle has no airplanes to be added so you will move up faster ifntou get ewr Q400 fo seat. Then there is the aspect of Q being the charlie fox operation. With no cancellation pay plan on 75 guarantee.

The call out is 1.5 hrs. To ewr might be tough. No ready reserve or junior manning. I dont know how we would not lose it if we had those here.

Qol in reserve is like hell on earth. Ewr q is so short fos its incredible.

Upgrade is not going to be 7-8 years but wont be 2.

Commuting is a state of mind (so is schizofrenia ) but try to make the bestbout of it. If you are at silver , try commutair. Better upgrade times and closer to home.

My $36.62 cents

 

I agree with most above although if you can live in one of the bases, the 170 republic cert is doable. If you leave, avoid another Turbo prop- go for any jet to round out your resume. Ive only been here for 15 months and Im gettn out soon so seattlepilot and I have a different perspective im sure. He's been through alot of bs here at Rah. good luck to all